2016 CÔTE RÔTIE CLASSIQUE CLUSEL ROCH - 12x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, October 2017

  Blended from four principal parcels in the Côte Brune, combining both young and old vines grown on the mica-schist soils. The result is a really complete picture of the appellation, with the fruity vigour of young vines, the svelte body of older vines, and the smoky, savoury grip and fresh acidity from these steep slopes. The final blend has a red cherry scent, is delicate but firm in structure, with freshness and energy. 30% whole bunch fruit in the fermentation adds aromatic depth to the wine, with sweet red cherries, crushed raspberries, and the light spice of nutmeg and cinnamon on the palate. It should drink well from youth and continue for at least a decade.

• 

  Josh Raynolds, June 2018,
  Score: 92-94

  Lurid ruby. Assertive, spice-laced dark berry, floral pastille and smoky mineral scents show excellent delineation and a hint of peppery spices. Sappy, energetic and penetrating on the palate, offering fresh, mineral-laced boysenberry and raspberry flavors that deepen and become sweeter with air. Shows a highly appealing interplay of richness and vivacity and finishes with gently gripping tannins and strong, mineral-driven persistence.

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Producer

Domaine Clusel-Roch

Over the past few vintages Guillaume Clusel has made his mark on his parents’ estate, which is nestled below the steep slopes of the Côte Brune. The style here has always been understated yet complex, where Burgundy-like finesse is combined with Syrah’s natural muscle. The domaine has some very old parcels of Syrah vines, and has been organically certified since 2002. The delicate handling in the vineyard and cellar results in wines with lower alcohol than many of their neighbours, and means they produce hugely pure, distinctive wines that avoid any over-extraction. Guillaume never employs a cold soak prior to fermentation and uses a high proportion of whole bunch fruit. As a result, the wines are often paler in colour than their neighbours. This is certainly the case in 2017. From 2016 onwards the estate no longer produces their young vine cuvée, ‘La Petite Feuille’, as the vines have reached sufficient maturity to be included in the main Côte Rôtie blend, ‘Les Schistes’ (formerly known as ‘Classique’. Keep up!). Rhône expert John Livingstone-Learmonth describes Les Grandes Places as ‘a formidable wine of challenging complexity and well worth the outlay.’